Overview
The Town of Georgina will be utilizing Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) to deliver its Safe Streets Monitoring Program. This program was established to curb speeding, modify driver behaviour and enhance community safety. The speed cameras will complement additional traffic calming control measures that emphasize community, education, enforcement and engineering. The revenue generated from this program will help cover the program’s operational costs and go towards other Safe Streets initiatives.
What is the Safe Streets Monitoring Program?
The Safe Streets Monitoring Program is a program that uses cameras and other speed measurement devices to identify and photograph vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. When a vehicle is detected speeding, the system automatically captures an image of the vehicle. Provincial Offences Officers then review these images, and within 30 days, a citation is issued to the vehicle owner. The ticket is sent to the registered owner rather than the driver, resulting in a monetary fine without demerit points.
Why Implement the Safe Streets Monitoring Program?
Numerous municipalities throughout Ontario and North America have successfully implemented ASE as a speed enforcement tool. ASE programs have been shown to improve speed compliance, reduce the frequency of collisions and decrease the severity of those that do occur.
A 2022 study of ASE sites in the City of Toronto revealed a significant decrease in speeding. The percentage of drivers exceeding the speed limit dropped from approximately 60 per cent to 43 per cent in 30 km/h zones, from 51 per cent to 30 per cent in 40 km/h zones, and from 58 per cent to 36 per cent in 50 km/h zones, representing an overall reduction of 45 per cent in speeding incidents.
ASE is a key component of a comprehensive Safe Streets strategy, working in conjunction with other speed reduction methods, including engineered solutions, educational campaigns and police enforcement.
History of Automated Speed Enforcement
Since the enactment of the Safer School Zones Act, 2017, the Ontario Traffic Council has been working with interested municipalities alongside the Ministry of Transportation through an Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Working Group to implement ASE in Ontario. Bill 65 permits the use of ASE in community safety zones where the speed limit is less than 80 km/hour.
The Town introduced the ASE program to Council on June 19, 2024. At the September 11 Council meeting, the specifics of the program were shared in regards to location selection and criteria, financial outlook and a communications plan, along with any remaining bylaw amendments, prior to activating cameras in the Town.
Safe Streets Monitoring camera locations in the Town of Georgina
ASE cameras will be strategically installed in Community Safety Zones. These locations are chosen based on a data-driven approach that evaluates factors such as proximity to vulnerable users, vehicle speed and volume and collision statistics. Location selection is data driven and is geared to ensure that the installation of the cameras has the greatest effect on speed limit compliance within the entire Town community.
Photos and videos
Photos
Proposed timeline
Timelines
The Town will be installing "Coming Soon" signage on all chosen locations this winter of 2024. Cameras will then be installed at each location after 90 days of the installation date of the "Coming Soon" signage. The ASE cameras will be activated upon installation and will start issuing tickets to license plates violating the posted speed limit immediately.
Additional resources
Documents
Council Reports
Media Releases
Frequently asked questions
Check out the frequently asked questions page for answers to the most commonly asked questions.